Media Articles Related to Gleevec (Imatinib)

Imatinib a Double-Edged Sword for Pregnant CML PatientsSource: Medscape Hematology-Oncology Headlines [2017.09.19]On the one hand, imatinib keeps the CML in check; on the other hand, it carries a risk for fetal congenital malformation if taken during pregnancy. Medscape Medical News

Imatinib as adjuvant therapy for gastrointestinal stromal tumors: a systematic review. [2011.05.01]The high risk of recurrence in resected gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) highlights the need for effective adjuvant treatment. This review evaluates the clinical efficacy and safety of imatinib for adjuvant treatment of localized KIT (CD117)-positive resected GIST... This study adds to the evidence (based on one RCT and a number of observational studies) that GIST patients treated with adjuvant imatinib therapy show an improvement in recurrence-free survival compared to placebo or no treatment after resection of KIT-positive localized GIST with tolerable toxicity.

Neoadjuvant imatinib in patients with locally advanced non metastatic GIST in the prospective BFR14 trial. [2011.02.15]BACKGROUND: The role of surgery in the management of patients with advanced gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) in the era of imatinib mesylate (IM) remains debated. We analyzed the outcome of patients with non metastatic locally advanced primary GIST treated with IM within the prospective BFR14 phase III trial... CONCLUSIONS: Following neoadjuvant IM for non metastatic locally advanced GIST 9 of 25 patients (36%) were selected for resection of the primary tumor. OS and PFS figures were close to those of localised intermediate or high risk GIST (70% at 5 years) in the subgroup of operated patients, while the outcome of the non-operated subgroup was similar to that of metastatic GIST.

Clinical Trials Related to Gleevec (Imatinib)

Pilot Study of Gleevec/Imatinib Mesylate (STI-571, NSC 716051) in Neurofibromatosis (NF1) Patient With Plexiform Neurofibromas [Active, not recruiting]
This is a second Pilot Study to determine the efficacy of Gleevec« in neurofibromatosis
(NF1) patients with plexiform neurofibromas using new response assessment modalities with
the secondary goals of assessing Gleevec toxicity, and characterizing markers of response.
The rationale for this study arises from the response of human and murine NF1 cells to
Gleevec« in vitro, the response of a NF1 patient treated with Gleevec« for airway
compression by a plexiform neurofibroma with a dramatic response not previously seen in NF1
therapy, and the experience in 37 NF1 patients treated with Gleevec┬« in the initial pilot
study. Gleevec will be dosed orally with a starting dose of 100 mg twice daily for patients
with a BSA > 1. 8 m2 or 55 mg/m2 twice daily for patients with BSA < 1. 8 m2. For patients
with a BSA > 1. 8 m2 the dose will increase by increments of 100 mg bid every two weeks as
tolerated up to a maximum dose of 400 mg bid. For patients with a BSA < 1. 8 m2 the dose
will increase by increments of 55 mg/m2 bid every two weeks as tolerated up to a maximum
dose of 220 mg/m2 bid. Treatment will continue for 6 months with an option to continue for
24 months if the patient is deriving a clinical benefit.

Therapy of Early Chronic Phase CML With Gleevec [Completed]
The goal of this clinical research study is to see if imatinib mesylate (Gleevec, STI571)
can improve CML in chronic phase.
Objectives:
Primary Objective:
To increase the proportion of patients achieving a complete cytogenetic response in patients
with Ph-positive early chronic phase CML using initial Gleevec therapy.
Secondary Objective:
To evaluate the duration of cytogenetic response, duration of hematologic response and
survival.

Effect of Antacids on Gleevec´┐Ż in Healthy Volunteers [Completed]
This is a research study that will investigate the effects of antacids (often used to treat
stomach upset) on Gleevec« (a drug that is FDA-approved to treat some types of cancer) in
healthy volunteers. Twelve healthy volunteers (six men and six women) will be recruited to
complete the study. This research study will compare Gleevec« in the body when taken with
and without antacids. Each volunteer will receive a 400 mg pill of Gleevec« on two
occasions. One one occasion they will take the dose of Gleevec« alone. On another
occasion, they will take the Gleevec« 15 minutes after taking a 20 mL dose of antacids.
Several blood samples will be drawn to measure the concentrations of Gleevec┬« and its
breakdown products in the blood, with and without the influence of antacids.